Periodic Trends

AP Chemistry· difficulty 3/5

Atomic radii (pm) for second period.

Which best explains the observed trend?

A
$Electronegativity decreases.$
B
$Effective nuclear charge increases left \to right, pulling electrons closer.$
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C
$Electrons are added to a new shell each step.$
D
$Radii increase due to shielding.$

Explanation

Within a period, Z_eff rises, drawing valence electrons in tighter and shrinking radius.

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